Wed.’s Devo - From Bitter to Sweet

Ex. 15:1-27 The children of Israel have been miraculously delivered and seen their enemy once and for all destroyed. It is time to celebrate and Moses has a song in his heart. This prayer is a “must read out loud” prayer. It holds such power. No doubt the children of Israel were made to memorize it so they would not forget what God did for them. Miriam and all the women found their tambourines and danced. Everyone rejoiced until 3 days later when there was no water, then in Marah the water was bitter. The people complained to Moses and Moses cried out to God. This was a test for the people and they failed. God told Moses to throw a tree into the waters and the waters were made drinkable and sweet. Then he told them if they would follow his voice and obey him then he would not put on them the curses he put on the Egyptians and they would walk in healing. Just as he healed the waters, he would heal them. To prove it, he lead them to Elim which means “mighty ones” and there were 12 wells there and 30 palm trees - an oasis in the desert. So he not only gave them plenty of water, but shade and dates. God always gives us a place to rest after a battle even if and especially if we failed and missed the mark. God is very patient and loving. That tree was a picture of Jesus. Life is bitter until we throw Jesus into our lives and let him turn our bitterness to sweetness. We are also given the promise of divine healing and blessings instead of curses if we enter into God’s promised land for us and allow him to plant us in his Sanctuary. To do this we hide his Word in our hearts and take it at face value, believing all of it. We practice God’s presence throughout our day and listen for his voice. It is possible to have the same relationship that Moses had with God, where he walked with him daily and heard his voice. Lord, we desire to walk with you as Adam did in the garden. Increase our desire for you and allow us to hear your softest whispers.